---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a…"
description: "\"“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 NIV”\" — The Bible"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg"
---

#  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs…

![“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 NIV” quote by The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg)

> ““A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 NIV””

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A calm response diffuses conflict, while harsh language fuels it.

**In simple terms:** Gentle words calm; harsh words inflame.

Key Takeaway

Choose calm speech to de‑escalate.

Themes

conflict resolution communication empathy

Mood

reflective peaceful

Type

advice wisdom

When to use this quote

- family arguments
- workplace disputes
- online debates
- customer service

Key Concepts

non‑violent communication emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you practice gentle replies in heated moments?
- What triggers you to respond harshly?

A Different Perspective

May not address power dynamics that provoke anger.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/)

## Related quotes

> [A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-harsh-word-stirs-up-anger/)

[Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/)

> [Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. -Proverbs 15:22](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/without-counsel-plans-fail-but-with-many-advisers-they-succeed/)

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/)

> [A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. -Proverbs 15:20](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/a-wise-son-brings-joy-to-his-father-but-a-foolish-man-despises-his/)

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/)

> [“A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit. Proverbs 15:13”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/a-joyful-heart-makes-a-face-cheerful-but-a-sad-heart-produces-a/)

[Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/)

> [The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/the-sacrifice-of-the-wicked-is-an-abomination-to-the-lord-but-the/)

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/)

> [A right word spoken at the right time can be life-changing.(see proverbs 15:23)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-right-word-spoken-at-the-right-time-can-be-life-changing-see/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding” (Proverbs 15:32).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tedd-tripp/he-who-ignores-discipline-despises-himself-but-whoever-heeds/)

[Tedd Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tedd-tripp/)

> [Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat finest meats where there is hate. Proverbs 15:17](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedric/better-to-eat-vegetables-with-people-you-love-than-to-eat-finest/)

[Cedric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedric/)

> [“This is harder than it first appears: Try in thine own experience, each; that ye speak not for one whole day unkindly of any;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/this-is-harder-than-it-first-appears-try-in-thine-own-experience-each/)

[Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/)

> [Nobody in our family's ever recalled seeing my mom and dad speak a harsh word to one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-bush/nobody-in-our-family-s-ever-recalled-seeing-my-mom-and-dad-speak-a/)

[Neil Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-bush/)

> [Exploitation is a harsh word, I know that, but on a certain level, to me that is the central Hollywood story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-easton-ellis/exploitation-is-a-harsh-word-i-know-that-but-on-a-certain-level-to-me/)

[Bret Easton Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-easton-ellis/)

> [“A harsh word breaks the heart. A kind word can sooth the savage beast. A word never spoken can bury a burden or save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-loren-norris/a-harsh-word-breaks-the-heart-a-kind-word-can-sooth-the-savage-beast/)

[J Loren Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-loren-norris/)

> [One harsh word flushes out the efctn of thousands of lovable sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zaniee/one-harsh-word-flushes-out-the-efctn-of-thousands-of-lovable-sentences/)

[Zaniee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zaniee/)

> [When you're a little kid, your heart is open and tender and a harsh word can go straight in and become part of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-keillor/when-you-re-a-little-kid-your-heart-is-open-and-tender-and-a-harsh/)

[Garrison Keillor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-keillor/)

> ['Villain' is such a harsh word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-westwick/villain-is-such-a-harsh-word/)

[Ed Westwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-westwick/)

## More by The Bible

> [Angels are seen unaware…so why is it the people around me see evils real clear,, what does this say about what people are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/angels-are-seen-unaware-so-why-is-it-the-people-around-me-see-evils/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/speak-up-for-those-who-cannot-speak-for-themselves-for-the-rights-of/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [For God So Loved The World, He Gave His Only Begottten Son, And Whomever Shall Believe In Him, Shall Be Saved. -John 3:16](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/for-god-so-loved-the-world-he-gave-his-only-begottten-son-and/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Then some of his Disciples said among themselves, What is this that he says to us, A little while and you will not see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/then-some-of-his-disciples-said-among-themselves-what-is-this-that-he/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Know that we more than a conquer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/know-that-we-more-than-a-conquer/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Wisdom is the most principal thing but whit all thy getting get understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/wisdom-is-the-most-principal-thing-but-whit-all-thy-getting-get/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/eye-for-eye-tooth-for-tooth-hand-for-hand-foot-for-foot/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [I can do all things through christ my saviorthe lord is my strength and my shield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/i-can-do-all-things-through-christ-my-saviorthe-lord-is-my-strength/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/is-there-no-balm-in-gilead-is-there-no-physician-there-why-then-has/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/if-anyone-thinks-he-is-religious-and-does-not-bridle-his-tongue-but/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [With faith the size of a... No thing iss impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/with-faith-the-size-of-a-no-thing-iss-impossible/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/whatsoever-a-man-soweth-that-shall-he-also-reap/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/where-you-go-i-will-go-and-where-you-stay-i-will-stay-your-people/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/o-lord-our-lord-how-excellent-is-thy-name-in-all-the-earth-psalm-8-1/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

> [John 3:16 for god so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shalt have everlasting life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/john-3-16-for-god-so-loved-the-world-he-gave-his-only-begotten-son/)

[The Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

[Explore all 16 The Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/)

## More Anger quotes

> [“If I let myself think of it the pain and anger were still fresh, adrenalin racing down my limbs to pool, hot and itchy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-ladd/if-i-let-myself-think-of-it-the-pain-and-anger-were-still-fresh/)

[Kylie Ladd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-ladd/)

> [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/)

[Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/)

> [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/)

[N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/)

> [“When you feel terribly angry, you're possessed by anger ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-feel-terribly-angry-you-re-possessed-by-anger-ghost/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/)

[Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/)

> [My care will be in the heart n not in words My anger will be in Words n not in the Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/my-care-will-be-in-the-heart-n-not-in-words-my-anger-will-be-in-words/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/)

[Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/)

> [To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-a-negro-in-this-country-and-to-be-relatively-conscious-is-to-be/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“God, you had enough time to have been through it three times. You've been through my stuff. I bet you over and let one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/god-you-had-enough-time-to-have-been-through-it-three-times-you-ve/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/)

[Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/)

> [Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/depression-is-merely-anger-without-enthusiasm/)

[Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/)

> [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/)

[David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/)

> [ “Where there are kashays (anger-pride-deceit-greed), there is worldly life. As long as anger-pride-deceit-greed exist; one is a sansaari \[living a worldly life\] regardless of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-are-kashays-anger-pride-deceit-greed-there-is-worldly/)

[Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/)

[Browse all 7,469 Anger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 NIV”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "The Bible"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-harsh-word-stirs-up-anger-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anger"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-harsh-word-stirs-up-anger-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cf/the-bible-31189_anger_a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-h_1093632.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 NIV” — The Bible",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "The Bible",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-bible/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“A gentle answer turns away wrath,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-harsh-word-stirs-up-anger-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-bible/a-gentle-answer-turns-away-wrath-but-a-harsh-word-stirs-up-anger-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
